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Wilmington schools chief to seek $34 million budget, new jobs

By Katie Lannan, klannan@lowellsun.com

Updated:
12/13/2012 06:39:35 AM EST

WILMINGTON -- Citing a focus on technological innovation in the classroom, Superintendent of Schools Joanne Benton told the School Committee on Wednesday that she plans to request a budget increase of more than $1.5 million for fiscal 2014.

Benton's preliminary budget is set at $34,072,153, up 4.6 percent from this year's $32,569,830.

That money will go in part to expanding the high school's virtual-learning opportunities, upgrading the middle school's video system and installing wireless Internet systems throughout the district.

"Today's students are digital learners," Benton said. "They literally take in the world via the filter of computing devices."

Benton proposed eliminating the equivalent of nearly 11 full-time positions at the middle and high schools in response to declining enrollment.

Despite the staffing cuts, nearly half of the total budget increase comes from salaries, as Benton is seeking to create 12 new full- and part-time positions among the schools. These would include a technology-integration specialist and social worker for the high school.

Benton said bringing a social worker on to the high school staff is crucial because guidance counselors now focus almost entirely on college and career preparation, rather than the emotional and social needs of students.

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High School Principal Eric Tracy said his school's administrators and teachers have to step in to fill this gap but don't always have the proper training to help students and their families.

"Just in two weeks, I have been at three different local residences trying to coax kids to school, help kids get into a program, find connections for parents," Tracy said. "Parents, I think, will benefit from a position like this more than anyone because they often find themselves wondering what to do in those situations."

In the 2013 budget, about $23 million came from the town, with about $10 million coming the state and the remaining $1.2 million from grants. Benton expects less state funding to be available next year.

After meeting with Town Manager Jeffrey Hull to refine her request, Benton will present a revised budget to the School Committee at its Jan. 23 meeting.

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